Survey says: More Hawks prefer Obama

JIM MOOR, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

By JIM MOORE, P-I COLUMNIST

Updated 10:00 pm, Friday, October 31, 2008

The Go 2 Guy also writes for 710Sports.com and kitsapsun.com. Reach Jim at jimmoorethego2guy@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter as @cougsgo. He appears weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. on "Danny, Dave and Moore" on 710 ESPN Seattle radio.

Then I wondered if they'd even reveal their choice. For some, it's a private decision. Julian Peterson talks about everything, but he won't talk about this. Another chatty Seahawk, Deon Grant, said, "I won't talk about politics." And usually agreeable Brian Russell said, "That's a private thing, man." The same went for John Carlson.

The repercussion factor is high. Last year after Matt Hasselbeck and Mack Strong gave President Bush an honorary Seahawks jersey at a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser for Rep. Dave Reichert, they took all kinds of heat.

Hasselbeck received nasty texts and e-mails, with one man saying, "I hate you, I'll never wear your jersey, I'll never like the Seahawks again." The meanness surprised him. His coach's wife, Kathy Holmgren, a staunch Democrat, was also upset about the two players giving Bush a jersey.

Bobby Engram said I was breaking a rule that says you're not supposed to talk about politics and religion in the locker room. But most of the Seahawks I spoke to Thursday afternoon played along.

It goes without saying that anything I engage in is highly unscientific, and this poll qualifies to the nth degree. With that, here are the results:

Hands down, the Seahawks are Obama fans. I found only one McCain fan. And surprisingly, there was one Seahawk who's a fan of someone else.

"Ron Paul ... for a lot of reasons," said defensive tackle Craig Terrill, who plans to write in his vote for the Texan who finished fourth in the Republican primaries. "I'm not a big fan of the way government spends money."

So neither Obama nor McCain?

"Nope, they're not really for me," Terrill said.

Kitty-corner from Terrill in the Seahawks' spacious locker room, defensive end Lawrence Jackson almost passed on the question but said: "I voted for Obama. McCain's track record speaks too closely to (Bush). They're two quality guys. But it's a situation where the nation needs to see a change. It's not a black or white thing; it's the message Obama has."

Defensive tackle Red Bryant will vote for Obama, too, "because he's going in a different direction." Bryant wrestled with his decision because he's in the highest tax bracket, "so (Obama's) gonna get me."

"But it's time for a little bit of change," Bryant said. "It's tough, but I'm going to vote for America."

Higher taxes won't bother him. "For him to take a few extra tax dollars from me, and if he uses the taxes appropriately, I'm not opposed to an increase," Babineaux said.

Engram became a fellow rule breaker when he divulged his choice, saying: "Obama. I just believe in what he's saying about change. He's really trying to help out the entire country, particularly the middle class and people who are struggling."

Offensive guard Mike Wahle was the most outspoken Seahawk in support of Obama.

"I'm more in line with his ideology (than McCain's)," Wahle said. "He's one of the first really exciting (candidates) running for president since Clinton. I agree with his economic plan and generally think his vision of trying to restore America to being one of the most powerful and respected countries in the world is a big deal."